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Rating:
THE REVIEW
The Velvet Underground broke up after this Loaded but they ended after White light/White heat. I'm reviewing this album only because no one has done it, otherwise, I would have reviewed the first two fantastic albums.
With the loss of John Cale in the VU lineup and the addition of Doug Yule, that bastard, dirty sound that characterized the band was lost. Already with the self-titled album from 1969, the trend was visible (only a few tracks were salvaged), and with this Loaded, with its stunning cover, the real Velvet Underground are even more unrecognizable, experimenting with a genre that lies between melodic blues and that stale pop/rock.
"Who Loves the Sun" is a very sunny acoustic rock, "Sweet Jane" with four chords is perhaps the best of the album, but if only the music had continued like the intro... aaahhhrrrggh! "New Age" is saved, a nice track that's appreciated, almost a testament to the pop/rock adopted by the VU. "I Found A Reason" another salvaged piece, is a dull, tired blues that goes on with "Papapapaaaaaa" and Reed's baritone singing that appears midway through the song, then "Oh! sweet nuthin" is a good conclusion and ties with the "stars" I've described above, the only ones that make this album shine, the only ones that give it a rating of 3 (a very poor 3, to be honest) out of this album. Yes, because the others: "Rock'n'roll", "Cool it down", "Head held high", Lonesome cowboy Bill, Train Round the bend... aaaahhh no! Nooo!!! This is just little stuff, lousy stuff I'd say, poor in content and so far from the real Velvet Underground.
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Summary by Bot
This review critiques The Velvet Underground's Loaded album as a weak departure from the band's earlier raw sound. The addition of Doug Yule diluted the band's edge, resulting in mostly uninspired pop and blues tracks. Only a few songs like 'Sweet Jane' and 'New Age' stand out, but overall the album is seen as a poor successor to the band's classics.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964, known for their influential, experimental sound and association with Andy Warhol; core members included Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker.49 Reviews
Other reviews
By malley8
If it’s true that Squeeze picks up where Loaded left off, it’s to continue not necessarily lowering but certainly in another direction, one that veers away from New York’s soul’s night to sunny carefree days.
The cover’s hand doesn’t grip a banana but a skyscraper and just like here there’s no Andy Warhol, in the album’s tracks, there are no Velvet Underground.
By Taxirider
An album to listen to calmly and to savor like a good old wine, perhaps in front of the fireplace and perhaps in the company of one’s own solitude.
Music that aficionados of the Velvet 'early days' will disdain but that, if listened to with the heart, can arouse a thousand emotions.
